Posts Tagged ‘caring for your car’

How to Keep the Engine in Top Shape

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

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Protecting your car’s engine is an ongoing process. Rather than worrying about it once you run into a problem, you can do a few little things on an everyday basis to prevent problems from becoming serious.

Among the things you need to do are:

  • Change the oil every 3,000 miles
  • Change coolant fluid when you reach 100,000 miles
  • Replace anything that appears broken, worn or cracking, including belts, distributor cap and fans
  • Keep the air filter clean and replace if it becomes clogged
  • Make sure the fuel injector and the spark plugs are in good condition. This may be a good thing to ask your mechanic to look up, as it may be difficult to figure out on your own unless you have mechanical experience
  • Take your car in for a tune up every 35,000 miles or once a year

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How Everyday Care Will Keep Your Car Alive Longer

Monday, August 24th, 2009

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While yearly tune-ups and taking care of major problems right away will ensure that your car will last longer, it’s mostly the little things that will keep your car alive and running smoothly.

Be mindful of extreme temperatures. Cold weather will kill your engine quickly if you accelerate or drive at high speeds. Warm weather can cause your car to overheat and waste gas.

Turn your steering wheel without getting to the maximum position on the left or right, as this can damage the steering pump.

If you don’t plan on using your car for a long period of time (two weeks or longer), disengage the parking brake, put the car on jack stands and remove the battery. These simple steps will prevent unnecessary damage.

Protecting your tires will also protect your engine and overall car health. As a basic rule, avoid rough roads with lots of potholes or rocks. Don’t jump over the curb and don’t break suddenly, as this burns rubber.

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5 Unexpected Ways to Save Gas

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

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You’ve heard the suggestions: drive less, carpool, get a credit card with gas rewards… But aside from that, is there anything you can do to save money on gas? The truth is that keeping your car in top condition will not only extend its life but also end up saving you hundreds of dollars in gas.

  1. Keep the vehicle in top shape. Underinflated tires lower a car’s gas mileage. The same is true of engines that are out of tune or cars that have failed their emissions test. Dirty air filters cause the engine to overwork, wasting gas in the process.

  2. Switch to high-quality oil. This alone will increase your gas mileage by two percent. If you have your car’s manual, check to see what the recommended brand and grade is for your vehicle. Or buy oil that sports the words “energy conserving” on the label.

  3. Protect your car from the elements. Parking in the shade or inside a garage will reduce evaporative emissions considerably and conserve gas. In the winter, keeping your car warm means that you will waste less gas trying to warm it up in the morning.

  4. Drive consistently. Speeding up, abrupt stops and high speed in general all waste gas. Instead, use cruise control when on the highway and maintain a steady pace when driving within city limits.

  5. Get rid of excess weight. This means clearing out the trunk of the car, removing the roof rack when not in use and not using your vehicle as storage space.

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Basic Radiator Maintenance

Monday, June 1st, 2009

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Routine maintenance of your vehicle should always include checking the coolant level.

To do so, pop the hood open and look for the radiator cap, usually found down center in the engine compartment. One very important point, never open a radiator cap if the engine is hot. Contents of the radiator are under pressure and this can result in serious injury.

Once the engine has cooled, wear a thick glove or place a towel over the cap and slowly turn it. If there is a hissing sound, stop, and close the cap-this means there is still pressure.

Coolant for the vehicle is a mixture of anti-freeze and water. This can be purchased together (known as 50-50 coolant) or separately. Clear directions can always be found on the back of the container. If mixing anti-freeze with water at home, make sure to use only distilled water so your radiator doesn’t rust.

Also, usually to the left of the radiator and in front of the battery is the radiator fluid reservoir. The reservoir both siphons and receives fluid from the actual radiator as needed. Make sure the reservoir is also sufficiently full. After this, check the radiator hoses, of which there are usually three. One leads to the reservoir, the others to the engine. Inspect them to make certain they are not cracked and leaking. Check where the hoses are connected via clamps as well and replace as needed.

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